But regular shipments can be achieved only if Rota has export products, he added.
This is why the island should maximize the production of its farm products like sweet potato, yam, taro and native fruits, he said.
Mendiola said Rota has a sufficient agricultural land area to develop and cultivate export quality farm products.
But, he added, farmers should be provided adequate financial and technology support.
“Right now, the shipment cost is high because we don’t have outbound cargo. We are sending empty containers to the ship,” he said.
Former Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona said the losing gubernatorial ticket of Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero and David M. Borja had a plan to ensure regular shipping operations on Rota.
All other leaders, the previous and the present, have also looked into the problem of shipping but “they didn’t aggressively pursue it,” Manglona said.
He said ocean transportation is very vital to the economic development of Rota.
“The biggest problem is the seaport,” according to former Senate President Julian S. Calvo, who now serves as resident director of the Rota Health Center.
He said the government has not expanded the channel of the seaport which does not allow vessels to safely maneuver, especially when the sea is rough.
If the weather is bad, he said, the ship scheduled to unload commodities will have to skip Rota.
The delivery of goods and merchandise to the island usually occurs once a month.
Another problem is the monopoly in the shipping business on Rota, Calvo said.
Municipal Council member Roy Masga said the island’s elected leaders should seriously look into the problem and strongly lobby for assistance from the central government.
